Our biosolids services are compliant with the Biosolids Assurance Scheme (BAS) and are fully auditable.

Biosolids is a term used for treated sewage sludge which has been routinely applied to agricultural land across the UK for several decades. Biosolids are dark brown cakes or sludges, which farmers use for arable or grass production for their high levels of phosphate and other plant nutrients as well as a source of valuable organic matter.

4R provide long-term and ad hoc recycling services for water companies, to recycle their biosolids and other sewage treatment outputs. We provide land bank surveys, land-finding services, full recycling and storage services as well as lime-treatment of non-compliant cakes and sludges utilising our bespoke treatment licence.

Biosolids have historically been applied to land under the Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989. This is currently being revised and all biosolids may end up being regulated by the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2023. This will mean that all biosolids being spread to land will require prior approval by the regulator.